Spray iron

ABSTRACT

The disclosure shows a spray iron that uses a disclike slinger to spray water on the surface to be ironed. The water is directed to the slinger by an inclined hollow tube which dips into a water reservoir and rotates to lift water to the slinger.

Umted States Patent [111 3,590,503

[72] lnventor Alfred G. Swenson 2,749,179 6/1956 Almquist.... 38/77.8 X 1304 N. Campus Ave., Ontario, Calif. 2,770,896 11/1956 Holmberg... 38/77.8 X [21) Appl. No. 882,835 2,817,169 12/1957 Schott 38/77.5 [22] Filed Dec. 8,1969 3,173,584 3/1965 Giarasis 38/77.8 X [45] Pammed July Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson Attorneys-Lawrence R. Kempton, Leonard J. Platt, John F. [54] SPRAY IRON Cullen, Frank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B. Waddell and Joseph 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs. B. Forman [52] US. Cl 38/77.l [51] Int. Cl D06f75/06 [50] Field ofSearch 38/77.1,

14 ABSTRACT: The disclosure shows a spray iron that uses a disclike slinger to spray water on the: surface to be ironed. The [56] References Cited wager is directed to the slinger by an inclined hollow tube UMTED STATES PATENTS which dips into a water reservoir and rotates to lift water to 2,671,650 3/1954 Jauch et a] 38/77.5 X the gi ger,

PATENTED JUL 6 I97! Inventor'- Alfred G. Swanson b 5 Attomeg my? ewzw SPRAY imtllltl BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention This invention relates to a spray iron that employs a disclike slinger structure that is fed with water from a rotating hollow tube which dips into a water reservoir.

2. Description of the Prior Art With the advent of irons using water for either steam or spray purposes or both, a water tank or reservoir is generally provided in the iron above the soleplate and water valve structure provides controlled water drippage into a steam generator where it is evaporated and directed out steam holes in the soleplate to steam the article. Mechanical spray attachments have been added tosuch irons to supply a tine spray from the water tank to spray onto the garment. While slingers, per se, are known, they have not been successfully applied to irons and more complex structures have been used for spraying. Such spray attachment may be manual where each actuation of a suitable button pumps a spurt of water or the spray attachment may be powered where, by suitable valving, the steam pressure is raised and directed to the spray where it aspirates and pressurizes the water so that a single depression of the button provides a continuous spray until the button is released. A typical powered sprayer of this type is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,041,257 of common assignment. Generally, it has been preferable to use distilled water in such steam irons because of the fineness of the various water passages and ori fices which are subject to clogging due to the mineral deposits from the water, which varies from one locality to another. Distilled water, which is pure, creates no problems but in the hostile hard water localities, the tap water contains minerals which produce loose flakes and deposits that plate out on the iron components and can clog the fine passages in the spray structure. These deposits vary from the water in various areas of the country and generally consist of lime or calcium carbonate as well as other chemicals that are in solution in the water or may be in relatively large flake form in the water. Various cleaning mechanisms including screens and cleanout structures have been designed to prevent the deposits or flakes from clogging the water passages. However, while the flakes may be screened out, various fine and complex screening structure is required and the minerals in solution in the water may still reach the sprayer through the water tube which connects the water reservoir with the sprayer and lime deposits may be formed therein. The buildup of a coating or deposits then causes a restriction in the flow rate of water to the sprayer and a reduction in the spray rate. Prior art constructions have generally provided sprayers, either powered or manual, that contain the fine passages which are subject to clogging.

Briefly described, the present invention is directed to a spray iron, that may or may not include steaming structure, that has a hollow front handle support and a water reservoir extending under the support. A hollow elevator tube is inclined from the vertical and communicates with the bottom of the reservoir to draw water therefrom. Fixed bearing means are provided in the support to carry the top of the tube for rotation in the support lengthwise of the tube. A slinger, that is preferably in the form of a disc, is carried by the tube at right angles thereto and adjacent one side of the bearing so that the slinger rotates with the tube. Aperture means are provided in the slinger to connect the interior of the tube so that water is directed preferably on the slinger surface. A controlled driving means, such as an electric motor, may be mounted in the handle above the slinger or may be mounted elsewhere and connected to drive the slinger on the other side of the bearing support. An opening in the form of a slot segment is provided in the front of the handle support and aligned with the slinger at its low horizontal inclination so that, upon rotation of the slinger, a fine spray of water is discharged downwardly to the ironing surface. Suitable parts of the slinger may be bent out of the rotating plane on each side of the disc to provide a band of spray and the slot segment may be provided with antidrip structure in the form ofinturned lips so that water striking the lips is directed back to the reservoir. Also, the slinger is mounted to rotate adjacent the slot segment where water is discharged and is spaced elsewhere from the support to provide passage means around the slinger for return of excess water to the reservoir. Thus, the main object of the invention is to provide a slinger-disc spray assembly in a spray iron that is not subject to clogging and may use any tap water available.

BRlEF DESCRllP'TlON OF THE DRAWING FIG. l is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the location of the invention in a spray iron; and

H6. 2. is a view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. ll showing the spray slinger disc assembly.

Referring to FiG. ll, an iron embodying this invention typically includes a soleplate lltil, connected cover 12 and operating handle M. in accordance with conventional practice, soleplate lllli may be cast from a material, such as aluminum, with an electrical heating element cast into position. The heating element generally is of the sheathed type in which the electrical resistance element in extends through an outer tubular protective sheath with the heating element separated from the outer sheath by an electrical insulating compound resistant to heat such as a mass of granulated and compressed magnesium oxide as well known in the art. in the usual manner, the heating element extends in a loop from the rear of the iron along one side to the forward or pointed end and then rearwardly along the other side. Thus, a substantially uniform heat dis tribution is provided, especially when an aluminum soleplate or coated soleplate is employed. The iron may include structure for controllably generating steam for use as a steam or dry iron as desired and such irons and structure are well-known, a typical example being shown in US. Pat. No. 2,991,572 of common assignment. Since the structure for generating and distributing the steam is well known, no reference or illustration is shown herein. in such irons, a water tank or reservoir is provided to supply water to the soleplate Ml for steam generation as shown in the above-referenced patents.

in accordance with the invention, it is desired to use ordinary tap water for spray purposes and this is simplified by avoiding any fine passages or orifices that are subject to clogging by flakes or mineral deposits. To provide a simple water sprayer attachment, handle lid is formed with a hollow front portion 2i that acts as a support. as will become apparent. in order that the hollow front handle support may be used for a slinger assembly, a water reservoir 18 is extended forward under the support and is secured thereto in fluid tight sealing engagement. For supplying spray water, there is provided a hollow lifting tube 22 that is inclined from the vertical as shown, the tube extending and communicating with the bottom of the reservoir for removing the maximum amount of water from the reservoir. The support of tube 22 is derived from suitable bearing 23 that may be carried in the upper portion 26 of the reservoir extending into the front handle support. The bearing 23 rotatably supports tube 22 at its top for rotation in the support handle lengthwise of the tube. In order to supply an evenly dispersed spray, there is provided a slinger assembly generally indicated at 2% that is preferably in the form of a disc and is carried by tube 22 at right angles thereto as seen in FIG. 1. Any suitable means of securing the slinger assembly to the tube will suffice such as hub 24 attached to the motor shaft. Slinger assembly Eli is carried adjacent one side of the bearing 23 and is fixed to the tube at right angles to its axis of rotation to rotate with tube 22 in a plane inclined to the horizontal. Rotation may be by any suitable driving means, such as motor 30, which is carried in support 2h on the other side of bearing 23. it will be appreciated that motor 30 may be located elsewhere and the box is merely representative of a driving means that could take the form of the motor suggested or represent a pulley structure as driven from a motor in another portion of the iron. A suitable switch structure 32 actuated by button 34, is connected to driving means 30 for control thereof.

it will be apparent that rotation of hollow tube 22 causes the water in reservoir 18 to rise in the tube. The inclination of the tube from the vertical has two functions. It meets the space limitations which would prohibit a vertical tube while also enhancing the lifting characteristic of the rotating tube 22, While any additional lifting means may be provided in the tube, the mere rotation of the tube at a suitable speed causes the water to climb in the tube to its upper end. For directing the water to a surface of the slinger disc 36 it is convenient, although not necessary, to direct it to the upper surface and, for this, there is provided aperture means 38 that may comprise a series of holes peripherally arranged, as seen in FIG. 2, for connecting with the interior of the tube to direct water to the slinger. This arrangement permits water lifted in tube 22 to be deflected by the hub and deposited on the upper surface of the slinger where it is then thrown outwardly by centrifugal force. The speed of rotation determines the size of the spray and this is factored into the driving means 30.

Since it is desired that the water exit from the iron other than in a thin plane, the slinger disc 36 is scalloped or has portions of its periphery selectively bent out of its rotating plane on each side of the disc as seen in the dotted portion 39 of F lG. to impart momentum to the water in other directions as well as perpendicular to the axis of rotation whereby a band of spray 40 is thus provided. The spray is directed to the ironing surface by means of a slot segment 42 in the front of the handle support and the segment may be of any arc length depending on the spray characteristics desired. Because of the inclination of tube 22 the slot segment in the front of the handle support is aligned with the slinger disc 36 at'its lowest horizontal inclination to discharge the band of spray water downwardly to the ironing surface as shown by the spray lines in FIG. 1.

Since the slinger disc discharges water evenly around its rotating periphery, the handle support is designed to provide passage means 44 between it and the disc for the return of excess water to the reservoir directly below. Thus, the slinger rotates adjacent to the slot segment 42 and is spaced elsewhere from the handle support for return of the excess water. Additionally, to prevent drippage at the slot segment 42, the segment has lips 46 along its edges turned inwardly toward the disc so that water striking the slot edges is trapped and directed back to the reservoir directly below.

As previously noted, any suitable driving means may be used and the simplest is the use of motor 30 in the upper part of the support and a direct connection to tube 22 through the bearing structure 23 for the fewest parts and a straightforward direct drive.

The use of the novel slinger structure in a spray iron provides a simple and highly effective finely divided spray that forcibly drives the water into the material to relax the fabric. Tap water from substantially any locality may be used and the sprayer is not subject to obstruction since the connection apertures 38 may be of suitably large dimensions that clogging is obviated. The spray obtained is a highly effective fine spray that is instantaneous when button 34 is actuated and the band width of the spray and momentum may be determined by the offset peripheral buds of the slinger for the desired spray pattern and penetration.

While there has been described a preferred form of the invention, obvious equivalent variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced, otherwise then as specifically described, and the claims are intended to cover such equivalent variations.

1 claim:

1. In a spray iron,

a hollow front handle support,

awater reservoir, a hollow tube inclined from the vertical communicating with said reservoir and disposed for rotation in said sup- P a slinger member disposed in a plane inclined to the horizontal and connected to rotate with said tube,

means connecting said tube and slinger to direct water to said slinger,

motor and control means connected to rotate said tube and slinger, and

slot means in the front of said support aligned with said slinger at its low horizontal inclination to discharge a spray of water downwardly to the ironing surface.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein passage means is provided around said slinger for return of excess water to said reservoir.

3-. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said slinger is carried by said tube at right angles to the axis of rotation and the water directing means connects the interior of said tube with said slinger.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein passage means is provided around said slinger for return of excess water to said reservoir.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 3 where said slinger is a disc and has portions of its periphery selectively bent out of the rotating plane on each side of the disc to provide a band of spray.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 5 where said slot means has antidrip means to direct water striking the edges thereof back to said reservoir.

7. In a spray iron,

a hollow front handle support,

a water reservoir extending under said support,

a hollow tube inclined from the vertical communicating with the bottom of said reservoir,

bearing means fixed in said support and carrying the top of said tube for rotation in said support lengthwise thereof,

a slinger carried by and at right angles to said tube adjacent one side of said bearing for rotation with said tube, aperture means in said slinger connecting the interior of said tube to direct water for said slinger,

driving means connected to the other side of said bearing in the support.

control means connected to said driving means, and

a slot segment in the front of said support aligned with said slinger at its low horizontal inclination to discharge a spray of water downwardly to the ironing surface.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said slinger is mounted to rotate adjacent said slot and spaced elsewhere from said support to provide passage means for return of excess water to said reservoir.

9. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said slinger is a disc and has portions of its periphery selectively bent out of the rotating plane on each side of the disc to provide a band of spray.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 where said slot segment has lips on the edge thereof inturned toward said disc to direct water striking the slot edges back to said reservoir.

11. Apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said driving means is a motor in the upper part of said support and connected directly to said tube through said bearing. 

1. In a spray iron, a hollow front handle support, a water reservoir, a hollow tube inclined from the vertical communicating with said reservoir and disposed for rotation in said support, a slinger member disposed in a plane inclined to the horizontal and connected to rotate with said tube, means connecting said tube and slinger to direct water to said slinger, motor and control means connected to rotate said tube and slinger, and slot means in the front of said support aligned with said slinger at its low horizontal inclination to discharge a spray of water downwardly to the ironing surface.
 2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein passage means is provided around said slinger for return of excess water to said reservoir.
 3. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said slinger is carried by said tube at right angles to the axis of rotation and the water directing means connects the interior of said tube with said slinger.
 4. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein passage means is provided around said slinger for return of excess water to said reservoir.
 5. Apparatus as described in claim 3 where said slinger is a disc and has portions of its periphery selectively bent out of the rotating plane on each side of the disc to provide a band of spray.
 6. Apparatus as described in claim 5 where said slot means has antidrip means to direct water striking the edges thereof back to said reservoir.
 7. In a spray iron, a hollow front handle support, a water reservoir extending under said support, a hollow tube inclined from the vertical communicating with the bottom of said reservoir, bearing means fixed in said support and carrying the top of said tube for rotation in said support lengthwise thereof, a slinger carried by and at right angles to said tube adjacent one side of said bearing for rotation with said tube, aperture means in said slinger connecting the interior of said tube to direct water for said slinger, driving means connected to the other side of said bearing in the support. control means connected to said driving means, and a slot segment in the front of said support aligned with said slinger at its low horizontal inclination to discharge a spray of water downwardly to the ironing surface.
 8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said slinger is mounted to rotate adjacent said slot and spaced elsewhere from said support to provide passage means for return of excess water to said reservoir.
 9. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said slinger is a disc and has portions of its periphery selectively bent out of the rotating plane on each side of the disc to provide a band of spray.
 10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 where said slot segment has lips on the edge thereof inturned toward said disc to direct water striking the slot edges back to said reservoir.
 11. Apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said driving means is a motor in the upper part of said support and connected directly to said tube through said bearing. 